Wednesday 17 October 2012

40 years later...

A reminisce.

My mum (age 17) was with her sister (age 16) and their boyfriends, driving in Cheltenham in the 1960s... not driving that fast apparently, but they went into a tree. 


Mum broke her collar bone, the lads were okay apart from a few bruises, her sister went right through the windscreen though.. no seat belt. 

She lost her sister that night.

Mum has two other sisters (younger), but she was closest to the sister who died. Named my sister after her.

She was not allowed to go to the funeral, and they moved to South Africa soon after. 

My mum had never seen her grave till my sister and I took her specially to find it, about 6 years ago. We hunted high and low at this huge cemetery, knowing where the 1960 years graves were... and we eventually found her grave. Unkempt, but the headstone was intact. 

My mum wept.

We tidied the grave headstone, left some flowers (potted plants which we planted), had some time there, then left. Was a very special moment, sharing that with her.

It was emotional. Very. I must take her out there again next time she's here.

Friday 12 October 2012

Pilanesburg Game Reserve, north of Johannesburg


Pilanesburg Game Reserve, north of Johannesburg, originally uploaded by Mrs Flower.

We are going to South Africa in January for my birthday (first time I would have spent my birthday with my mum and brother for many years)... we are going to Johannesburg and Cape Town... where the respective families are. 

No time for a safari this time *sob* Our absolute favourite thing to do.... but time is of the essence, we have lots of business stuff to do while there. 

Pilansberg Game Reserve (in the photo) and Kruger National park are our favourite safari haunts.